On Tuesday, June 8, Bargaining for the Common Good co-hosted a webinar with Rethinking Schools, “Teacher Unions and Social Justice.” The webinar attracted educators and activists from across the country who are working to organize for the schools and communities students deserve.

Bianca Cunningham, the national campaign director for the Bargaining for the Common Good Network based out of the Action Center on Race and the Economy moderated the discussion, focusing on transformative campaigns, member and community organizing, the effect of the pandemic on schools and communities, and how educators can fight for racial justice.

Amanda Kail, president of the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association (MNEA) discussed the power of solidarity when organizing in a red state like Tennessee. “We want our community groups to teach us in the schools what they want us to know about what’s going on in communities. We want to build genuine solidarity.”

Ingrid Walker-Henry, vice president at the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association discussed the importance of member organizing and how unions can connect with the community. “We have to make sure that within our classrooms, parent groups, and the community we have to teach people that you have a voice, this is the structure we’re working with and how we’ll get things done.”

Esperanza Martinez, Community Schools Coach for UTLA reflected on the union’s 2019 strike and the importance of centering student and parent voices in organizing. “Listening is key to understanding what people’s experiences of the union have been, what their hopes and dreams are, and how we can work together to build the schools and communities LA students deserve.”

You can watch the full replay of the event on Rethinking Schools’ facebook page, below.

https://www.facebook.com/rethinkingschools/videos/957963668302699